Professor David Procter
Winner: 2020 Charles Rees Award
University of Manchester
For the development of new methods in the synthesis and use of heterocycles in the areas of radical and organosulfur chemistry.
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I enjoy the thrill of the laboratory chase that makes the proposed processes a reality.
In order to construct valuable molecules, Professor Procter and his team introduce and exploit new concepts in the synthesis and catalysis for the efficient construction of valuable molecules. Much of the work involves the synthesis and application of heterocycles – cyclic molecules containing atoms of at least two different elements in their rings. Crucially, heterocycles are vital components in molecules of great societal importance, conferring activity to drugs, agrochemicals, electronic materials and polymers. It is crucial, therefore, that scientists can build and manipulate heterocycles selectively.
First, Professor Procter and his team use radicals – reactive species having unpaired electrons – to convert simple heterocyclic starting materials into complex, and in some cases, previously unknown heterocyclic products. In a second area, the team studies the chemistry of unusual sulfur-containing heterocycles and invent methods for building molecules of importance in medicine, crop science and organic electronics.
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